Times of India

NEW DELHI: The city government has finally decided to constitute the state Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes.

This statutory body will address issues and problems concerning the backward classes - who are nearly 22 lakh of the city population - and it would have adequate powers to implement orders for their upliftment. The commission would also look into the proper enforcement of the Atrocities against Schedule Caste and Scheduled Act which protects the social rights of the weaker sections.

On Monday, the city cabinet decided to set up the Delhi Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes by August this year. Besides a chairperson, the commission will have three members. While the chairperson will be of the chief secretary rank, members will have powers equal of that of principal secretaries in the city government.

The commission will have the power to summon any official or person before it. It will also have access to all official documents and would be able to recommend inclusion or exclusion of caste categories in the SC list of Delhi.

The government's decision to set up the SC/ST commission will be notified by soon, and would be finally endorsed by the assembly in the coming monsoon session.

The Delhi Commission for SC/ STs will be the fourth statutory body to be constituted in the city after the minorities commission, the Delhi women commission and the other backward castes commission.

According to chief minister Sheila Dikshit, the setting up of the new commission for SCs/STs was imperative for the welfare of the weaker sections of the society. There was no proper forum in the Delhi government for redressal of their grievances, and a small grievance cell functioning under the department for welfare of SC/ST did not suffice, she said.